Sham pillow



(No Model.)

1). G. CAMERON. SHAM PILLOW.

No. 457,180. Patented Aug. 4, 1891.

UNITED STATES:

PATENT OFFic'E.

DAVID G. CAMERON, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHAM PILLOW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 457,180, dated August 4, 1891.

Application filed February 6, 1891. Serial No. 380,442. (No model.)

' To aZZ whont it may concern:

be it known that 1, DAVID G. CAMERON, a cltlzen of the United States, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sham Pillows; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap, and ornamental sham pillow which may be folded into asniall space when not in use.

The invention consists in forming the frame of the pillow of elastic or spring ribs, hinged at their adjacent inner ends to a central ring or collar, and brace-rods, pivoted at their outer ends to the ribs and hinged at their inner ends to a central collar or ring, which is adapted to be connected to the former ring or collar by a hook when the pillow is spread or opened for use.

The invention consists, further, in certain details of construction, which will be fully described hereinafter in connection with the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front view of a sham pillow constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the frame in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a rear View of same. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, line a a: of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a View of the pillow as seen when folded. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the rear ring or collar and the loop which is carried thereby.

The frame of my improved sham pillow consists of the spring-ribs A, (preferably of steel wire, in order that they may be light, strong, and. elastic,) which are connected at their inner ends to a central ringer collar B, which is provided with a retaining rod or hook O. The ends of the ribs are hinged to said ring or collar,whereby they may be folded together at their free ends. Brace-rods D are pivoted at their outer ends to intermediate points of the ribs A and are hinged at their inner ends to a central ring or collar E, which carries a loop F, to be engaged by the said retaining rod or hook.

that it is light, strong, and elastic.

The cover G maybe of any suitable fabric, and consists of a plain rear side H, secured at its angles to the ends of the ribs and held in position thereby, and the convex front side I, which is also secured at its angles to the ends of the ribs and is held in a convex form by the ribs which curve outward toward their centers. The front side of the cover is formed in gores i t', with the seams therebetween ly-' ing on the ribs of the frame. When the pillow is folded, as shown in Fig. 5, the ribs lie closely together and form a compact bundle, the cover being folded at the same time. In this form the pillow is portable and may be packed into a small space for transportation or in order that it may be out of the Way when not in use. WVhen it is desired to open or spread the pillow, the rings or collars are pressedtoward each other until the retaining rod or hook can be engaged in the loop. It will be seen that the rear side of the cover does not lie in contact with the brace-rods, but is stretched between the ends of the ribs. The brace-rods may, if desired, be connected to the ends of the ribs; but I- prefer the construction shown, for the reason that the pillow receives a better shape, and, furthermore, the rear side of the cover is thereby prevented from coming in contact therewith. The rear side of the cover is cut away at its center to form a small opening K around the ring or collar, whereby the loop and hook may be seen to enable them to be properly engaged. By pressing one hand against the front side of the pillow and the other against the rear side the hook. may be held in position to engage with the loop or be disengaged therefrom. There is sufficient looseness in the joints between the ends of the ribs and the ring to allow the hook to be moved slightly from side to side at its free end, thereby enabling the engagement to be readily accomplished. \Vhen the pillow is folded, the inner ends'of the brace-rods project through the opening K, and thereby prevent undue straining of the cover.

The advantages of the improved pillow are It yields to pressure and immediately returns to its normal shape when relieved of the pressure. It can be folded or extended instantly and without removing or attaching the cover, and

its front side is rounded,tl1ereby giving it an ornamental appearance, while its rear side is fiat, thereby enabling it to remain in any position in which it may be placed when in use.

It will be noted that the corners or angles of the rear side of the cover are attached to the extremities of the ribs, and therefore the spread or extension of the frame depends upon the size of the rear side of the cover. When the frame of the pillow is folded, the cover folds therewith. The opening K in the rear side of the cover allows of free circulat on of air therethrongh, and also allows the air to enter when the pillow is extended and escape when it is collapsed. WVhen the pillow is folded, the frame may be withdrawn or removed through the opening K, and therefore it s evident that laundered covers may be used, which may be applied to the frame in the manner indicated. The covers are not connected in any way to the frame, as described. They are held in place when the frame is extended by the shape of the latter. This construction enables the cover to be removed when it becomes soiled and replaced by a new one, and the cover is secured in place wlthout the use of pins, buttons, or other similar fastening devices.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a collapsible sham pillow, the combination, with a jointed frame composed of ribs and brace-rods, of a detachable cover having a flat rear side which fits between the eX- tremities of the ribs when extended, and is provided with a central opening through which the frame when folded may be removed and introduced, substantially as specified.

2. In a collapsible sham pillow, the combination, with a folding frame having jointed ribs and brace-rods, of a removable cover having a front side to fit over and cover the ribs and a rear side to fit between the extremities of the ribs, and permanently connected at its edges to the edges of the front side, and provided with a central opening, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID G. CAMERON.

Vitnesses:

WVM. B. Cox, 0. E. DOYLE. 

